The study undertaken by researchers from Cedars-Sinaí and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) was published in the 'Cancer Research' journal and demonstrated that this component of chili peppers provoked, approximately 80% of the prostate cancer cells to follow molecular mechanisms which lead to programmed cellular death (apoptosis).

Also, the size of prostate cancers treated with capsaicine was one fifth of non treated tumors.

According to Sören Lehman, lead author of the study, 'capsaicine' had a deep antiproliferative effect on human prostate cancer cells and also reduced in a noticeable way the development of prostate tumors formed by human cancer lines which were growing in mice'

Lehman estimated that the dosage of chili extract fed to mice were equivalent to providing 400 milligrams of capsaicine three times a week to an individual a little over 90 kg, approximately between three and eight fresh 'habanero' chili peppers, depending on their capsaicine content.

The 'habanero' chili peppers are those with the highest capsaicine content, according to the specific index provided for the evaluation of the degree of how 'hot' a chili can be, known as Scoville scale. The habanero chili peppers are native from Yucatan and usually contain 300 000 Scoville units.

The more popular variety of jalapeño chili peppers come from Oaxaca (México) and from the south-west USA and contain between 2500 and 5000 Scoville units.

Scientists observed that capsaicine inhibits the activity of a molecular mechanism, NF-kappa Beta, which participates in cellular systems that lead to apoptosis, or cellular death, of many types of cells.

The experts explain that apoptosis is a normal cellular phenomenon produced in tissue thanks to a sustained equilibrium between the new replacement cells and those that are older or have deteriorated. In contrast, the authors point out, the cancerigenous cells try to become immortal and often evade apoptosis through the mutation and gene deregulation which participate in the process.

The extract of these chili peppers also slowed down the growth of the prostate tumor through the regulation of the androgen receptors, the proteins activated by steroids which control the expression of certain genes associated with growth.

The hot component of these chili peppers also reduced the formation of the prostatic specific antigen (PSA) which signals the presence of a tumor in men.